Explore careers and their earning potential in the Occupational Outlook Handbook at www.bls.gov/oco.

Log on to your MyFSA account (see 9th Grade) at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/myfsa and look at the information for any colleges you saved if you completed the College Matching Wizard (see 10th Grade) in the past. Try the college search again if you've changed your mind about what you want from a school.

Go to college fairs and college-preparation presentations by ollege representatives.

Fall

Take the PSAT/NMSQT.* You must take the test in 11th grade to qualify for scholarships and programs associated with the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Spring

The school day SAT date for Juniors is on Tuesday, April 12th.

Register for and take exams for college admission.* The tests that many colleges require are the SAT Reasoning Test, the SAT Subject Tests, and the ACT. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require.

Use www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/scholarship to find scholarships for which you might want to apply. Some deadlines fall as early as the summer between 11th and 12th grades, so prepare now to submit applications soon.

* REMEMBER: Register for all tests in advance and be sure to give yourself time to prepare appropriately! If you have difficulty paying a registration fee, see your school counselor about getting a fee waiver.

To Explore:

Visit www.college.gov and click on “how to pay” to see how other young people paid for college.

Familiarize yourself with ways to pay for college at www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/guide. The following sections of Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid will be especially useful to you right now:

Federal Student Aid at a Glance

Other Financial Aid Sources

It's a Jungle Out There

Parents… To Do:

Review “Every Year in High School” of this checklist.

Take another look at your financial situation, and be sure you're on the right track to pay for college.

Talk to your child about the schools he or she is considering. Ask why those schools appeal to your child, and help him or her clarify goals and priorities.

Attend college fairs with your child, but don't take over the conversation with the college representative. Just listen, and let your child do the talking.

Take your child to visit college campuses, preferably when classes are in session.